Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Labor and Industry
 
Board
Safety and Health Codes Board
 
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7/30/21  9:23 am
Commenter: Augusta County

Comments on the Draft Standard
 

It appears to that the CDC recommends masks for those not vaccinated.  The draft revisions to the Standards indicate masks are required for those not vaccinated.  News outlets indicate the Governor wants to follow CDC guidelines.  There appears to be a conflict in the requirements.

The revised Standard appears to discriminate against those not vaccinated.  Some have good reasons for not being vaccinated whether medical or not.  The choice to vaccinate should be of the individual person.  The standard appears to require employers to know if an employee is not vaccinated and then enforce the standard appropriately.  What about HIPPA and other code requirements that keep medical information personal?  Those not vaccinated should have the choice on whether or not to wear a mask.  Employers should not be required to police who is vaccinated or not.  Follow CDC as a recommendation, not a requirement.

It's the same with the physical distancing requirements in the Standard.  Those not vaccinated can choose to distance themselves from others.  We do not need to post signs in designated common areas, breakrooms, lunchroom, etc. on the number of people allowed in a room and then police it.  Vaccination is a choice.  Those not vaccinated should have the choice to distance from others.

It appears that we are going from "masks protect others" to "masks protect yourself" and now to "vaccinated people wear masks to protect those not vaccinated".  Again, is should be a personal choice of those not vaccinated.

The Standard is written in a way to guilt people into being vaccinated so they are not singled out.  Medical information will not be private, and those not vaccinated will feel pressure from others to be vaccinated.

We realize there may be parts of the State that have higher positivity rates, and there may need to be additional measures, but don't penalize the areas that do not have a problem.

CommentID: 99691